Florida Child Injury Law Blog » Tampa

Tampa Elementary School Site of Alleged Bullying

James Dodson — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:45:05 +0000

Officials have reported three girls have admitted to harassing a 10-year-old classmate reportedly at Lockhart Elementary Magnet School.

Tampa police say the alleged bullying transpired when the three girls slapped their classmate and threw her into a fence. There have been other episodes, as well. Investigators believe on another occasion, the victim was threatened while a rope was wrapped around her shoulders.

The three youths have not given a reason for the abuse. A case of bullying on a Tampa elementary school campus could lead to arrests. Criminal charges are expected.

Bullying is tragically, a problem for thousands of school children each day. For a comprehensive look at how to handle bullying , please visit KidsHealth.org.

The Dodson Law Firm provides this Florida child injury blog as a resource for families in an effort to educate parents and “to make safety every child’s reality.”

Call our Florida Personal Injury Law firm for a free consultation about your injury case @ 1-888-340-0840.

Tampa Mom Wins Support for Safer Playground Equipment

James Dodson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:05:59 +0000

Tampa Mom, Katie Guice, was concerned about the potential dangers the unsafe playground equipment at her neighborhood park posed for her young son. A sign posted at the entrance of Ballast Point Park warns parents that a fall to a hard surface from the playground equipment could lead to death for a child. Parents have reported incidents of fall accidents on the playground.

This was troubling to Guice whose three year old son, Rylan, enjoys playing with his friend at the park on equipment intended for older children (ages 5-14), not toddlers like Rylan.

A recent post to our Florida Child Injury website describes this young Mom’s determination and efforts to gather local community support and to provide a safe and developmentally appropriate area for toddlers to run and play.

Lowry Park Zoo Chimp Throws Orange at Child

James Dodson — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:53:07 +0000

“Presents for Primates” at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa took an unexpected twist when a chimpanzee grabbed an orange and tossed it at a young girl watching the festivities.

Employees of the zoo immediately rushed to the girl and got her an ice pack. The young girl luckily was not injured.

The incident unfolded when zookeepers tossed wrapped presents filled with food in the primate’s exhibit area. ‘Alex’, the chimp who threw the orange was upset after another chimp had stolen his present. According to the Lowry Park Zoo, events like “Presents for Primates” are intended to encourage physical and mental activity of the apes and monkeys, while energizing the animals’ senses and behaviors.

Parents Magazine rated Lowry Park Zoo as the best zoo in the United States last year. They are also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.